Life-buoy



7 Wire DUIDAS, OF HOMESTEAD, PENNSYLVANIA.

. LIFE-BUOY.

. Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Apr. 19, 1921;

Application. filed February 7, 1921 Serial No. 442,929.

the following is a specification.

This invention relates to lifebuoys for use in the event of accident at' sea or on water and it has" for an object to provide an improved and novel construction of lifebuoy adapted to properly sustain the person usingthe same, and to keep the latter out of direct contact with the water.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claimsin which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a vertical sectional view, with parts in elevation, of a lifebuoy constructed according to my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a vertical elevation showing the lifebuoy in use.

In constructing my improved lifebuoy I provide an annular buoyant member or float 10 which is of approximately inverted bellshape, the top being flared outwardly as at 11 to provide a considerable lateral distribution of the sustaining or supporting element. This float 10' is preferably constructed of cork and may be formed of a series of sections divided by the radial plates 12 and bound together by the hoops 13 and secured at their upper edges to a reinforcing ring 14. This float 10 is preferably covered both inside and outside with cloth material 15, such as burlap.

Secured to and surrounded by the float 10 is a water proof garment comprising legs 16 and a waist portion 17 Extending between the flaring upper part 11 of the float l0 and the waist portion 17 of the garment is a horizontal partition member 18 which may be secured at its outer edge to the float and at its inner edge to the bottom of a reinforcing band 19 surrounding the garment waist 17, this inner end being here shown as supported by struts 20 which extend upwardly and inwardly inside the float,

to which their lower ends are secured in any suitable manner. Y

Extending between and secured to the.

ring 14 and the top of the band 19 is a frusto-conical cover 21 made of rubber or other water proof material, a compartment or space 22 being left between this cover and the partition 18. This cover 21 is provided 'with' an opening 23 in which is suitably fixed an exteriorly scr'ew-threaded-metal neck rlng 24 upon which is screwed a cap 25. Access to the space 22 may thus be readily had'by the user of the device, this space being adapted'to contain drink, food f or the like, in suitable packages, while the downward and outward inclination of the cover 21 sheds any water that may be washed thereon.

The extreme upper edge of the garment cords 33 are attached, a link 34 connecting the stirrups to one another. To reinforce the float at the points where the bolts pass therethrough a pair of plates 35 and 36 may be sunk into the inner and outer walls of the float.

The use of my improved lifebuoy will be apparent from the above description, the

legs andwaist of the person using it being inclosed by the water proof garment. The

considerable lateral distribution of the sustaining element enables the person to be supported with the upper portion of the body well above the water while food and drink may be carried in the compartment 22 to which access may be had by simply unscrewing the cap 25.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows l. A life-buoy comprising an invertedbell-sha ed annular float a arment oomprising legs and a waist portion surrounded and carried by said float, and bracmg means extending betweenthe upper part of thefloat and the said waist portion- 2. A life-buoy comprising an inverted bell-shaped annular float, a garment co1n= prising legs and a waist portion surrounded and carried by said float, ZLHdbI'ElClIlQ means extending between the upper part of the float and the said waist portionfsaid bracing means comprising a water proof partition.

' 3. A" lifebuoy comprising an inverted bell-shaped annular float, a garment 'com prising legs and a waist portion surrounded and carried by said float, and bracing means extending between the upper part of the float and the said waist portion, and a cover member offrusto-oonical form extending between the top edge of said float and the said garment, said cover member being spaced from the said partition to provide a cornpartment for the purpose specified.

5. A life-buoy comprising an inverted bell-shaped float, ,a water-proof garment surrounded and carried by said float, said float being divided ciroumferentially into a series of sections, radial plates separating said sections, tions together. 7

"6. A life-buoy c'omprising an inverted bell-shaped annular float, a garment comand hoops binding said secprising legs and a waist portion surrounded l and carried by sald float, a reinforcing band surroundmg sald walst portion, a horizontal braeingpa'rtition extendingit'rom the upper portion of said float'to the bottom of the said reinforcing band, and a cover member of frusto-conical form extending from the upper edge of said float to the top of said reinforcing band.

In testimony whereof I have aiflxedmyl signature.

ANDREW DUDAS. 

